Boks rout Pumas

SOWETONAMPA/AFP South Africa scored nine tries and fly-half Morne Steyn kicked 28 points as they crushed Argentina 73-13 Saturday in a Rugby Championship first-round romp. The triumph against rivals who had two forwards sin-binned took the Springboks to the top of the table on points difference after world champions New Zealand won 47-29 in Australia earlier. It also created two Springbok records, with the winning margin bettering the 63-9 triumph in Johannesburg five years ago and the 86 match points eight more than in Springs 11 years ago. Topping off a great day for South Africa was their first win at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, where they lost twice to the New Zealand All Blacks in previous appearances. The Test took a decisive turn on the half-hour mark when Pumas hooker Eusebio Guinazu was yellow carded and South Africa scored 14 points in four minutes en route to a 26-6 half-time lead. Demoralised Argentina collapsed in the second half as the home team scored a further seven tries before Contepomi claimed a final-minute consolation try. The match was the highlight of the Nelson Mandela Sport Day, an inaugural event in honour of the hospitalised former president that also featured the national football team. In the football match, Bafana Bafana beat Burkina Faso 2-0. Springbok skipper and centre Jean de Villiers refused to get carried away after a victory margin far wider than even the most optimistic South Africans had predicted. "We played well at times, but there is plenty to work on. We are evolving as a team and taking more scoring opportunities. I guess it is hard to complain after scoring 73 points. "I believe we put a smile on the face of Madiba (clan name of Mandela) today and we dedicate this triumph to him and all South Africans," he said. Argentina centre and skipper Felipe Contepomi reflected: "South Africa were magnificent today and once they got on the front foot it was impossible to stop them. "We are grateful to be playing the three best rugby nations in this Championship and I hope we can do much better when the Springboks play in Argentina next weekend."